Wine glass marker/charm rack

ABSTRACT

A rack is disclosed for holding and displaying wine glass marker/charms and other loop type ornaments and to prevent the charms from entanglement. The Rack is consisting of one or more horizontal rod(s) and one or more base bracket(s) for securing the rod to existing supporting horizontal or vertical surfaces. The base brackets are modified to support the rod a predetermined distance from the supporting surface. 
     One or many wine glass marker/charms may be stored on the Rack which is effective by the user manipulating the wine glass marker/charm to clasp the charm onto the rod and the Rack thereby holding the charm in an orderly and secure fashion. The charm is removed by unclasping it from the rod.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to support racks, specifically a rack system specifically for holding and displaying wine glass marker/charms.

2. Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.

There is no prior art specific to storing or displaying a collection of wine glass marker/charms.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is no contemporary apparatus for consumers to store or display their collection of wine glass marker/charms on a horizontal rod. Wine glass marker/charms are typically simple loops of wire sold in packages of 6 or more individual pieces. Additionally, wine glass marker/charms may be adorned with attractive or aesthetic accoutrements pertaining to themes of particular affinity to the consumer such as their favorite sport, food or holiday's, etc, making them an excellent conversation piece.

Once the consumer has removed the charms from the package there are no conventional means to prevent the charms from becoming entangled with each other during storage and so they may become unusable until effort is spent to release any individual from the entanglement. This invention enables the wine glass marker/charm to be easily clasped for storage and unclasped for removal from the Wine Glass Marker/Charm Rack.

It is one object of this invention to provide a simple and effective means for owners to store and retrieve wine glass marker/charms.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for owners to display their collection of wine glass marker/charms.

Another objective is to provide a storage and retrieval system that can be easily mounted to vertical or horizontal surfaces such as under cabinets, on kitchen appliances, walls or cabinet doors.

Another objective of this invention is to provide a storage and retrieval system that can be easily mounted to wire type wine racks or wine glass racks.

In accordance with the described invention, the Rack includes at least one Base for mounting to a surface with a means to affix a horizontal Rod, and at least one Rod of a determined length to store the wine glass marker/charms thereupon. The Base and Rod are formed of material sufficiently rigid to bear the weight of the stored wine glass marker charms and to resist deformation during the storage or retrieval process. The Base is constructed to locate the attachment point of the rod at a predetermined distance from the desired mounting surface. The Rod may be formed of cylindrical or elongated geometric shaped material such as a dowel. The Rod is attached to a Base (or Bases) at one (or multiple) location(s) along the length of the Rod. The Base is mounted to a surface with the Rod positioned securely in a horizontal position.

One novelty of this invention is that it provides for a means to store wine glass marker/charms convenient to where wine glasses are stored and in a manner that prevents frequent tangling of the items.

An additional novelty of this invention is that it provides a unique and attractive means to display the owner's wine glass marker/charms.

Another novelty of this invention is to provide the owner with design choices that match their unique aesthetic desires by offering the Rack in multiple sizes, colors, materials, and finishes.

An additional novelty of this invention is that it can be configured for mounting on a particular surface location and subsequently modified for mounting at a different surface location with no repair needed upon removal from the original mounting surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S).

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Wine Glass Marker Rack invention as mounted on a vertical surface.

Figure A-A is a front elevation view of the Rack invention shown in FIG. 1 as taken in the general direction of arrows A-A showing the Base 10, and the horizontal rod 11.

FIG. 2 depicts a second optional Base configuration. The depiction of Base 12 illustrates the embodiment where the Rod 11 passes completely through the Base 12 and protrudes laterally from both side surfaces of the base. Also shown is a retaining collar 14 around the Rod 11.

Figure B-B is a cross section of the Rack shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 as taken in the general direction of arrows B-B showing one Base 10 or 12 and the Rod 11 is in cross section. This view shows an adhesive strip 13 securing the Base to the mounting surface 88.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention wherein the Base 14 is formed to hold the Rod 11 horizontally while the Base 14 is mounted to a wire shaped rack type of surface 87.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1,2 and 3, the Wine Glass Marker/Charm Rack of this invention is shown which includes a horizontal rod 11 for storing multiple wine glass marker/charms 99, and a base 12 or bases 10, 14, for holding the rod 11 a distance from a mounting surface 87, 88. The Base is configured to securely affix the Base to a mounting surface and to securely hold a Rod in a horizontal position a set distance away from the mounting surface. The Base may be configured into any shape desired, with the prime utility being that it holds the rod 11 securely in a horizontal position.

Referring to FIG. 1 the invention is shown consisting of a pair of Bases 10, at each end of a Rod 11. For illustration of the function of this invention a single Wine Glass Marker/Charm 99 is shown.

Referring to FIG. 2, the Wine Glass Marker/Charm Rack of this invention is shown consisting of a single Base 12 holding the Rod 11 whereby the Rod extends from both sides of the Base 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, the Wine Glass Marker/Charm Rack of this invention is shown consisting of multiple Bases 14 holding the Rod 11, and where the Bases 14 are secured to a wire type rack mounting surface, 87. For illustration of the function of this invention a single Wine Glass Marker/Charm 99 is shown. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. Any device for holding wine glass marker charms comprising: a. One or more Base means adapted to be mounted on a supporting surface intended to hold said device and, b. One or more Rod adapted to be secured upon said base in a nearly horizontal orientation intended to store or display wine glass markers/charms.
 2. Any device according to claim 1 when the device is adorned with accoutrements that fit a theme appealing to a consumer.
 3. Any device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the Rod includes a collar to reduce lateral slippage of the said wine glass marker/charms when resting on the rod.
 4. Any device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the base is attached to supporting surfaces by magnetic force.
 5. Any device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the base is attached to supporting surfaces by chemical adhesives.
 6. Any device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the base is attached to supporting surfaces by gravity.
 7. Any device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the base is attached to supporting surfaces by mechanical fasteners. 